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MONTREAL - Three in four Canadians are proud to fly the Maple Leaf and nearly eight in ten believe Canada is the best country in the world, says a new poll.

The Leger survey was released to QMI Agency for National Flag of Canada Day, which is on Sunday.

Albertans and Ontarians are proudest about the flag, according to the poll of 1,500 Canadians.

Women reported more patriotism than men on the six questions that Leger asked from Monday to Wednesday of this week.

Three-quarters agreed that "displaying the Canadian flag gives me a sense of pride in Canada."

Similar numbers said "Canada is the best country in the world" and that they "feel proud wearing a t-shirt or hat with the maple leaf on it."

Attachment to the Maple Leaf was highest among older Canadians and lowest among the youngest adults and Quebecers.

Just 44% of Quebecers reported a sense of pride in flying the Maple Leaf.

People in La Belle Province did, in fact, have a high opinion of Canada - they just don't like showing it.

"There's still a majority who think Canada is the best country in the world," said demographer Jack Jedwab, whose Association for Canadian Studies commissioned the poll.

It was 50 years ago this Sunday that the Maple Leaf flew over Parliament Hill for the first time. There had been a vigorous debate in Parliament, and in society, between those who wanted a homemade national emblem and people who remained attached to the Canadian Red Ensign, featuring the Union Jack.